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Supervisors: Shoot that $100 pistol fee down

COLUMBIA COUNTY -- Opposition to a proposed $100 state pistol permit fee is being raised on several fronts.

The Columbia County Board of Supervisors Legal Committee earlier this week voted to support having the full board adopt a resolution stating that "responsible gun owners should not have their constitutional right to bear arms further infringed upon by adding additional financial burdens to the already arduous permit process and costly expense of becoming licensed to carry a handgun."

Committee Chairman Angelo Valentino, R-Copake, said it was the Columbia County Sportsmen's Federation that asked supervisors to adopt the resolution and forward it to state legislators and Gov. George E. Pataki, who proposed the new permit fee in his 2003-2004 executive budget plan.

"It's another sneaky little tax," said Legal Committee member Doug McGivney, D-Kinderhook.

McGivney likened the gun permit fee to a mortgage tax increase the county is proposing. He said both discourage people from doing something -- buying a gun or a house -- by making it more expensive.

Committee member James Keegan, R-Claverack, while a supporter of the mortgage tax plan, said he opposed the proposed gun permit fee and believes supervisors should be adopting similar resolutions in opposition to all state mandates.

Ken Brown, spokesman for the state Budget Division, said the governor's plan is to impose a $100 fee on new and renewal pistol permit applications. Also, Brown said the governor's proposal would impose a $25 dollar state fee for amending a gun permit.

There currently is no state permit fee, and the Budget Division expects the new fees would raise $31 million annually, Brown said.

Currently, the county charges a $5 fee when someone applies for a pistol permit, and, when issued, the permit to carry a handgun is good for life. The County Clerk's Office also charges a $3 fee each time a permit is amended, such as a change of address or adding or deleting a gun listed on the permit.

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